Department of Global Health and Social Medicine - Mental Health for All Lab, Harvard Medical School
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine – Mental Health for All Lab, Harvard Medical School
Program Type
SURGH
Organization Name
Department of Global Health and Social Medicine – Mental Health For All Lab, Harvard Medical School
Internship Location
Boston, MA, USA
Organization
The Mental Health For All Lab generates rigorous evidence through research and evaluation, ensuring interventions are scientifically grounded and effective in improving mental health outcomes. Led by Professor Vikram Patel and co-led by Dr. John Naslund, the lab operates within Harvard Medical School’s Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. The lab emphasizes global-local learning, showing that low-resource settings worldwide share similar barriers to achieving mental health for all, and innovative strategies can be disseminated across contexts.
Position Overview
Interns will contribute to ongoing initiatives aimed at scaling evidence-based psychosocial interventions, digital training for frontline providers, and peer-support programs. They will gain hands-on experience in research, data analysis, implementation science, and the development of mental health interventions for diverse communities.
Project Details
Interns will work on one or more of the lab’s EMPOWER projects:
Behavioral Activation – Supporting frontline workers and church members in Texas to address adult depression using a brief, evidence-based program.
EMPOWER Youth – Training school staff and community workers in a stepped, community-oriented approach to youth depression and anxiety.
Peer Support Project – Developing the first global curriculum to train individuals with lived experience to support people living with severe mental health conditions.
Intern Responsibilities
Review content for implementation, competency assessment, internship, and supervision manuals.
Support coaching of learners through digital communication.
Transcribe and revise notes from focus groups and interviews.
Assist with data analysis and synthesis for lab presentations, external presentations, and manuscript preparation.
Contribute to contextual and cultural adaptation of training curricula.
Qualifications
Prior experience working with remote or hybrid teams.
Strong communication skills, responsiveness, and adaptability.
Background in mental health, psychology, or related fields is helpful.
Comfortable with data collection, transcription, and supporting digital or in-person training processes.
Learning Outcomes
Implementation of evidence-based interventions in diverse communities.
Mixed-methods data analysis and synthesis.
Contextual and cultural adaptation of training curriculum.
Exposure to global and local mental health program design and evaluation.
Nature of Internship
Research / Program Implementation
Work Environment
Hybrid; 3 days in-person per week in Boston, with full team presence for mentoring and collaboration. Remaining days may be remote.
Additional Onboarding for Selected Intern(s)
CITI training completion recommended; interns will receive orientation to lab procedures, protocols, and digital platforms.
Keywords
Data Analysis; Health Systems Strengthening; Literature Review; Mental Health; Implementation Science